Legally what could we merchandise?

Post by **Raveen** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:52 pm

I was wondering about the terms of the license we have from MS in terms of selling Alleg T shirts, mugs, etc. for profit or for fun. I assume that we can't use any MS created artwork (right?) but could we could create a FreeAllegiance brand (seperate from the MS Allegiance one) with it's own imagery and logos. Would we be able to sell stuff with that on or not?

This is probably all pipedream but I got curious /mrgreen.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="mrgreen.gif" />

madpeople · Post by **madpeople** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:56 pm

we've done GB t-shirts.

we would have to do it so that any profits go into running servers -> no profit at the end

cant have a non-profit organization making profit. looks bad, and is kinda silly (or smart?... /unsure.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":unsure:" border="0" alt="unsure.gif" /> /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> )

Post by **BlackViper** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 4:41 pm

BlackShadow had done t-shirts, sweatshirts and mugs a long time ago. It went towards the cost of the BS forums.

Shizoku · Post by **Shizoku** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 6:17 pm

I was thinking about charging for lessons in dogifghting, commanding and basicaly anything else. Could make posters saying "Double your whoring abilities in 2weeks! Sign up now! This program does not gaurantee any raised level of whoring"

Rand0m_Numb3r · Post by **Rand0m_Numb3r** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 6:25 pm

I WANT to buy a black T-shirt with this on it.

An then i would like to have the IC basic miner symbol on a T-shirt.

Makesure you put FreeAllegiance.org on it somwhere too

jgbaxter · Post by **jgbaxter** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 7:22 pm

That would be a problem I think, it's MS logo for the game. /tongue.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":P" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" />

Post by **Papsmear** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 7:31 pm

Like MS would ever know or really care

A long sleeve black shirt, logos front and back and art work on the sleeves would be very cool.

NakPPI · Post by **NakPPI** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 7:42 pm

http://www.cafepress.com/

Don't know how they feel about copyrighted, open source video game material but may as well try.

Dogbones · Post by **Dogbones** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 7:46 pm

Allegiance is trademarked by over 100 different companies (each in their own sector or business space, there is a cement company, a health care firm, a realestate firm, etc)). I'd be more worried about one of them being upset than Microsoft at this point. I also think the artwork here has been redone/drawn by 'us'. Although you'd have to check with Pook/Thal.

If sales were under a 1000, I think we would not have a problem at all, not because of legal issues, but because of the small number.

One of the lawyers in our group can comment about Trademark violation and the need to for it to 'risk product confusion' or 'cause harm' to the holder of the trademark. Harm need not be monetary in nature.

Post by **Pook** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:01 pm

Dogbones wrote:QUOTE (Dogbones @ Oct 24 2006, 02:46 PM) I also think the artwork here has been redone/drawn by 'us'. Although you'd have to check with Pook/Thal.

Correct. That logo in particular done by me from scratch in Photoshop. Yes, I have high-resolution versions suitable for printing as well.